Project 530Z update:

“Improvise, adapt and overcome”. Obviously when building a car with components from different manufacturers, research, experimentation and best guessing comes into play a lot to get the parts to play nice with each other.

Example #1: Those beautiful stainless steel headers I purchased for the V8 bolted right up and looked great, BUT the flange on the driver side interfered with the steering shaft. And the car has to steer. SO, plan B is a set of brand new headers by Hooker that are angled properly for breathing and clearance. This week off to the powder coater to make them shine then bolted on to the engine once and for all.

Example #2: The chassis is a 1977 Datsun 280Z. The transmission is a 1990 Nissan 300ZX. The transmission mount from the 300ZX has to mount up to the chassis mount of the 280Z. As you can see, the idea is the same but the parts aren’t, and are juuuuust a little off. So the “ears” from the 280z mount will have to be welded onto the crossbar of the 300zx mount so it can bolt up. My race car master fabricator Shawn Pritchard will tackle that.

Stay tuned...

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

Remember back in the day when we used to attach a short chain to hold the engine block to the frame to keep it from torquing the motor and transmission mounts off?

I once had a 4dr automatic Pontiac with a 389/4-Bbl which torqued itself off its motor mount. When I made a hard low-speed right turn, the counter-torque from the power steering lifted the engine off the broken mount, pulling the carb linkage wide open, making the car uncontrollable. The pedal went to the floor on its own, opened all 4 barrels, and flung the car into the driveway/house/garage, whatever.

Chaining the block down was cheaper than pulling the engine to replace the broken motor mount.

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1970 240Z

I had a similar setup for the same reason in a 1970 Dodge Dart I built as a project car. It was a /6 car when I got it. I installed a 400 big block, 727 auto, and an 8 3/4 rear from a B body mopar (which fit surprisingly well after I relocated the spring perches and installed wheels with a deeper offset). I put it together on a shoestring budget and it was actually a really reliable, strong car in the end.

Instead of chain though, I used a piece of tubing with nuts welded on each end, and then rod ends added on both side to make it adjustable. Was a pretty cool setup. Header clearance by the steering shaft was a big issue there too. The driver's side header had to be installed before the engine in order for it to fit haha.

Project 530Z update:

The Hooker headers are installed as well as the custom coil/valve covers. New oil dipstick and tube for the Camaro oil pan. I had to give some credit to the Detroit muscle now residing under the hood.

Next up, fuel and spark. New fuel pump/pressure regulator to deliver the juice and adapting the wire harness to plug and play into this application (hopefully!). Fuel+air+spark and the beast should come to life. Expecting to well more than double the original Datsun horsepower, should be fun!

Stay tuned!

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

Q: Did you pull the block back up to swap out those headers, or just snake your tools down in there and change them the hard way?

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1970 240Z

Did it the easy way Frank.
Seriously, the new headers slipped right into place fairly easily. Just bolted them right up. But I’m not totally innocent, the instructions, which of course I didn’t read, told you to remove the spark plugs before installing the headers.

I only broke two.

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

When all else fails, read the instructions.

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1970 240Z

One step closer, looking good.

I can almost smell the the smoke coming off the those new headers! You MUST take a video of the Z-beast when you first fire it up!

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John Kish
1971 240Z - original owner

Project 530Z update:

While I’m waiting for the wiring harness, transmission mount and driveshaft to be done, I’m taking advantage of the time to get started on the interior.

I took advantage of today’s VERY unusual 54 degrees in December here in western NY to prep and dye the carpeting. The original 44 year old brown carpet (yes, this car was built 12/76) had faded over the years but because it was stored indoors was still in great shape. I’ve used this dye product before with good results and once again it didn’t disappoint. I’ll add some sound/heat insulation before the install is done. Before and after pics below.

Next, I’ll fabricate seat mounts to adapt the Datsun seat rails to these Acura GSX seats. A little repair on the bolster and they should bolt right in.

Stay tuned!

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

impressed by the way your gearshift congenially centers itself in your console. Will you use the original shift boot now?

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1970 240Z

I had to use an adapter designed to move the shifter about 4 inches forward on the 300zx transmission to make it fit as you see it. The kit was designed to install this type transmission into a 240SX, marked perfectly. And as a bonus much more precise than the original Nissan linkage. And yes, plan to use the 280z shift boot.

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

John my friend, you are indeed smarter than you look!

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1970 240Z

Project 530Z update: Mid-winter edition

It’s called “hot rodding”, a time honored, busted knuckle activity shared across shade trees and garages for generations. Using parts from car A, plug into car B with parts from company C. Well, you get the idea. The best part of a project is sharing time with like minded buddies who share the same passion. And putting more than one set of eyes and thoughts together to figure out the best way to do something is downright priceless.

Pals Shawn Pritchard, Russell DiLiberto and Sam Hartley came over to the Zcarnut garage today to scope out the wire harness connections, locate the ECU and fit test the custom transmission mount. Lots of trial and error involved, in and out of the car several times. Some last minute fine tuning will be required on the mount but it should be buttoned up this week.

This week I’ll be messing around with those pesky (but SWEET) Acura seats to get them mounted into the car. All of the excess of mechanical adjusters, rods and brackets that are unnecessary have been removed from the seats. I’ve fabricated a new seat bracket/slider assembly to fit the Datsun and the trick will be to get it properly mounted to the new seats to bolt in.

Then some light “surgery” will be required on the right side frame rail to give a little more clearance for the exhaust header to clear properly. Again, master fabricator Shawn will lend his touch.

Stay tuned.

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John Taddonio
1970 240Z
1977 530Z
1984 300ZXT
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester

What was it you said? Something about 'always trying to surround yrslf with people who know more about what you're doing than you do', or words to that effect.

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1970 240Z